Push made to require ID at the polls

Friday

Mar 25, 2011 at 12:01 AMMar 25, 2011 at 7:57 AM

As part of a nationwide effort, local Republicans are pushing a measure to require Massachusetts voters to provide photo identification at the polls, a move Democrats say is designed to erect hurdles for minorities and the poor.

Paul Crocetti/Daily News staff

As part of a nationwide effort, local Republicans are pushing a measure to require Massachusetts voters to provide photo identification at the polls, a move Democrats say is designed to erect hurdles for minorities and the poor.

Town residents will soon vote on that non-binding opinion question and two others - one that calls for requiring proof of residency before receiving state benefits and one requiring proof of citizenship and residency before a person can register to vote.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, who represents Westborough, thinks the measures are a bad idea.

"This is part of a nationwide effort by the Republican Party," said Eldridge, a Democrat from Acton. "I think it's something that's very divisive. I think these (questions) are expensive solutions in search of problems."

Since Republicans gained power in last year's elections, photo ID bills, fueled by the idea of fighting voter fraud, have been working their way through state legislatures, including in Arkansas, Kansas and North Carolina. Texas adopted such a measure yesterday.

Eldridge said Massachusetts does not have a problem with voter fraud.

Westborough selectmen on Tuesday voted 4-0, with one member absent, to put the questions on the May 3 ballot. Residents spoke for and against the questions at the board's meeting.

Selectman Leigh Emery said though she does not support the measures, residents should be able to put non-binding questions on ballot.

"These issues are not ones I support," she said. "I don't believe the issue is for the local level. This will only make it more difficult for the elderly and poor."

Resident Ilyse Levine-Kanji told the board, "I urge you to vote against this. Here I don't see a positive outcome and I don't see a need for it."

John Rainey, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, which brought the questions to selectmen, said he expects them to pass easily.

"It seems like a no-brainer," Rainey said. "It's common sense."

"Getting to vote is the most principled right we have in this country," Rainey said, but he contends it's easier to register than to join Little League, which requires proof of proper age. Residents can simply show a utility bill when they register to vote, he said.

"I think the content of the questions are common sense," said selectmen Chairman Rod Jane. "I don't see anything controversial."

The questions are written as directives to the town's state lawmakers, instructing them to vote for legislation on those requirements.

Eight states request or require a photo ID at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nineteen states, including Connecticut, require some form of identification.

Rainey said his committee is particularly concerned with illegal immigrants receiving benefits.

"We only want benefits going to legal residents of Massachusetts," Rainey said. "I don't think we want to use taxpayer money for people in this country illegally."

Such measures, Eldridge said, could eventually lead to checks on someone's residency at the local library or senior center. More checks could require more personnel, increasing costs at a time when communities are slashing budgets, said Eldridge.

People who apply for food stamps and welfare already have to show proof of residency, he said.

Acton Town Meeting will take up similar questions filed through a citizen petition.

Marlborough city councilors discussed a proposal last year that called for requesting voter identification at the polls. The City Council has not taken a vote on the proposal.

(Kelleigh Welch contributed to this report. Paul Crocetti can be reached at 508-490-7453 or pcrocetti@wickedlocal.com.)

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